State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent v. Donald Loftin, Defendant-Appellant

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey held that the trial judge erred by retaining a juror who expressed a prejudicial, racially charged comment and by failing to conduct a voir dire of the remaining jurors, thereby violating the defendant's right to an impartial jury and constituting ineffective assistance of counsel. Accordingly, the Court vacated the conviction and death sentence and remanded for a new trial.